In a move welcomed by the music industry, Ibiza is now welcoming touring DJs without requiring a visa for entry.
The Spanish government and the UK music industry have agreed to remove the post-Brexit visa barrier for UK artists wishing to visit the nation for a short-term tour. With Spain boasting one of the greatest overseas marketplaces for touring musicians — with Ibiza at the centre of this for electronic music — this might imply an economic boost for the country and UK artists. However, due to the fact that a tour can only last 90 days without a visa, many larger groups will be unable to continue. There are also issues with cargo and cabotage transportation, as haulage vehicles are only allowed to make one stop within the EU and only have seven days to return home.
UK Music and representatives from the music business have been concerned for over a year about the potential for plans to change as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU. According to The Guardian, the cost of the visa was just one of their many concerns, and they also questioned whether the rules were too onerous. Months of lobbying by trade groups on both sides resulted in this policy shift.
UK Music called the policy change a “huge success” now that it is set to be adopted, according to The Guardian. “The lifting of visa restrictions by the Spanish government is a hugely welcome move,” he said. “However, it is important to remember that major issues still remain, particularly cabotage [the transport of goods or passengers between two places in the same country by a foreign operator], which makes many tours impossible.”